For Your Health for June 23

June 23, 2014

MARTINSBURG - The American Red Cross has announced its next blood drives. To be eligible to donate, donors must be 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in reasonably good health. Donors can give every 56 days. All blood types are needed - especially O-, A- and B-negative.

MARTINSBURG - University Healthcare and the WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center Eastern Division will sponsor a community mini-medical school program on autism.

The seminar, titled "Autism in West Virginia - How Can We Help" will be held at 7 p.m. July 15 in the WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center on the Berkeley Medical Center campus.

Guest speaker is Mark Ellison, EdD, LPC, ALPS, interim executive director of the West Virginia Autism Training Center at Marshall University. He will be joined by Sarah Moerschel, MD, a pediatrician at Harpers Ferry Family Medicine and associate professor for the WVU School of Medicine. Dr. Moerschel is a member of the medical staff at Jefferson Medical Center.

This community mini-medical school program is being offered free to the public as a community service of University Healthcare, the WVU Health Sciences Center Eastern Division and the Eastern Panhandle Indigo Children (EPIC). EPIC is an autism and advocacy non-profit organization located in the Eastern Panhandle.

Mini-Medical School registration begins at 6:30 pm followed by the program at 7 p.m. Reservations are strongly recommended.

For more information or to register, call 304-264-1287, ext. 31760.

Harmony's summer yoga classes begin June 29

SHEPHERDSTOWN - Shepherdstown's Harmony Healing Arts Center recently announced its eight-week Summer Yoga Session will begin June 29 and run through Aug. 23. The summer session offers 18 different classes including meditation, a wide array of hatha yoga classes for all ages and skill levels, and classes in tai chi.

Morning and evening classes are offered throughout the week, from gentle to vigorous and meditative to healing; there is even a class just for men. An eight-week class cost $80 or an unlimited class pass is just $160, enabling students to attend any or all the classes throughout the session. Harmony offers discounts to seniors, high school and college students, and Iraq and Afghanistan U.S. veterans. First-time Harmony students can try out as many classes as they like for 30 days for just $30.

Harmony Healing Arts Center is located at 211 East New St. Register for summer classes now, online, at the first class or by mail.

Detailed information about the yoga classes and how to register can be found at www.harmonyhealingarts.org or by calling 304-582-0179.

Adult Education to offer summer yoga classes

MARTINSBURG - Berkeley County Adult and Community Education will offer summer yoga classes from 6 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Lutz Avenue Test Center; and from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. every Wednesday at the Berkeley 2000 Sports Center. Cost for four weeks is $30; eight weeks is $55.

Participants should bring a yoga mat. Blanket, block and belt are helpful, but optional.

For more information or to register, call 304-267-3585.

Asburg United Methodist Church plans 5K race

CHARLES TOWN - Asbury United Methodist Church will host the Independence Day 5K at 8 a.m. July 4. The race begins and ends at Asbury. Pre-registration is available at www.myasburyfunruns.command and also from 7:30 to 7:45 a.m. July 4.